Do smart solutions have a place in the garden? Of course! An innovative pergola has recently appeared on the market, equipped with a number of technical solutions, including smart functions. IARP architect Lucja Obrochta-Rzepka shares her insights on trends, the role of the pergola in the garden, and features that can make it more functional and comfortable.
The smart pergola offers customizable features including sun shades, a sliding glass panel system and smart weather sensors
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Use of pergola in the garden
Apergola is an architectural element that can significantly affect the aesthetics and functionality of a garden space. Its main task is to create partial or full shade, which makes gardens, terraces or backyard spaces more comfortable, especially on sunny days. Although the pergola is mainly associated with classical gardens, today it is used in a variety of spatial styles - from minimalist to modern to rustic. In addition, the pergola can provide a place to relax, hold social gatherings or even a relaxation area with a garden Jacuzzi or sauna.
A pergola can also be the focal point of a garden arrangement with climbing plants such as vines, roses or wisteria. Such a solution not only improves the aesthetics of the space, but also allows for natural shade, which on hot days becomes a real lifesaver from excessive sunlight. Climbing plants around the pergola create pleasant shade, and also improve the microclimate, cooling the space around. Therefore, the pergola serves not only an aesthetic function, but also an ecological one, positively influencing the climate of the garden.
A pergola is also an excellent solution for a relaxation area. We can place garden furniture in it, such as comfortable armchairs, chairs or tables. It is worth remembering that modern pergolas, can also be used as an outdoor work space. With adequate lighting, Wi-Fi access and the ability to be sheltered from the wind and sun, a pergola becomes an ideal place for creative work in the garden.
Pergolas are versatile structures that can serve many functions, such as a shelter from the sun or a relaxation area in the garden
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Why are pergolas so popular?
Pergolas have gained immense popularity, becoming one of the most popular elements in the arrangement of gardens and outdoor spaces. Modern pergolas are valued for their functionality, aesthetics and versatility. First of all, they are an excellent solution for creating outdoor seating areas, providing comfortable shade on warm days and protection from the wind. On the other hand, when combined with plants, they bring harmony and aesthetics to the garden. They are now one of the key elements of modern gardens, terraces and balconies.
- In recent years we have seen a noticeable increase in interest in garden pergolas in Poland. This is mainly due to the growing awareness of users, who feel the need to integrate with nature and the environment after a long day at work or school. It is also due to the growing visual needs, often thanks to the aesthetic qualities of the pergola, the property gains aesthetic value. Clients today therefore place great emphasis not only on a properly designed building, but also on a functional recreational space around the house, preferably with smart features that can be activated conveniently from a smartphone or tablet, notes Łucja Obrochta-Rzepka, IARP architect and WIŚNIOWSKI brand design expert.
IARP architect Łucja Obrochta-Rzepka
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Another reason why pergolas are so popular is their versatility. Modern pergolas can be easily customized - whether by choosing the right material, shape or additional functions. As a result, a pergola can serve many roles. It can be a simple, minimalist element that serves as gentle shade, but also a more advanced structure that offers functions for intelligent management of garden space.
When to decide to purchase a pergola?
The decision to install a pergola should be well thought out and taken into account already at the stage of designing the house and arranging the garden, in order to best fit it to the space and the functions it is to serve. The most favorable moment to plan a pergola is the design phase of the house, as this allows you to optimally match it with the architecture of the building and the surroundings. It is then possible to take into account the appropriate orientation of the pergola with respect to the world's sides, which is crucial for shade and comfort. For example, a pergola on the south side will provide protection from excessive sunlight on summer days, while one on the west side will protect from afternoon heat. In addition, advance planning of the pergola makes it possible to integrate it with other elements of the garden, such as the terrace, paths and vegetation, which will create a coherent and harmonious whole.
Pergola increases the prestige of the property
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However, if the decision to buy a pergola was not made at the stage of designing the house, nothing lost! It is worth considering its installation when arranging the garden or the space around the building. This is a good time to determine its function. Is it to be used as a place for relaxation, a dining space, or perhaps a cover for climbing plants? It is equally important to match the materials and style of the pergola with the rest of the surroundings, so that it harmonizes with the building facade and garden architecture. The decision to buy a pergola is also worth making when you notice that your garden or terrace lacks a cozy, sheltered space that will provide comfort in various weather conditions. Then it's worth considering models with an adjustable roof, side glazing or smart features that increase the functionality of the pergola and allow you to use it all year round.
- Customers do not know at the beginning of the investment whether they will need a pergola, or whether it will just be an additional expense. However, over time, their awareness of the additional functionality of such a space increases. Installing a pergola increases the prestige of the property, allows you to create an additional place for relaxation regardless of the weather, but also allows you to develop additional usable space for householders. Here with the answer comes a new product from WIŚNIOWSKI - the ECHO pergola, whose form and ease of installation mean that it can be made at a later stage of the investment, also for buildings already in use, the architect adds.
How to install a pergola?
The installation of a pergola is a process that requires careful planning, proper preparation of the substrate and consideration of the technical, and aesthetic conditions of the surroundings. The first step is to choose an appropriate site. The pergola should harmonize with the garden and the house, as well as provide optimal comfort. It is important to take into account sunlight and wind exposure, especially for lightweight structures. Once the location has been determined, preparing the ground is key. Installing a pergola on unstable or uneven ground can lead to problems with the stability and durability of the structure. For free-standing pergolas, it is advisable to construct concrete foundations or use ground anchors to ensure solid anchorage. If the pergola is to be installed on a terrace, make sure that the substrate (e.g., composite boards, ceramic tiles) is properly reinforced and will withstand the pressure of the entire structure.
Among other things, the pergola can be equipped with lighting
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The assembly process itself differs depending on the type of pergola - ready-to-assemble models usually include instructions and components to facilitate installation, but for larger, more advanced structures it is often necessary to use the help of professionals. The key step is to set the support posts, which must be perfectly level and firmly attached to prevent the structure from tilting under wind or snow loads. Then the horizontal beams, the roof and any side covers such as blinds, shutters or sliding panels are installed. Increasingly, pergolas with a movable roof are used, which requires additional connection of control systems - both manual and automatic.
After the installation is completed, the pergola requires testing the stability and correctness of all installed systems. It is also important to properly protect the structure - in the case of wooden pergolas, impregnation and regular maintenance is recommended, while aluminum or steel models require protection against corrosion and mechanical damage.
The latest trends in the use of pergolas
Pergola as another room
- A noticeable trend is the installation of pergolas next to houses with a small area, so that the pergola increases the visual and usable space of the property. Thus, the investment in a pergola is not only an improvement of living comfort, making beautiful moments in the garden more pleasant, but also increases the value of the property itself. This is important information not only for homeowners, but also for conscious investors," emphasizes Łucja Obrochta-Rzepka.
Smart pergola
Modern technology is entering gardens more and more boldly, and smart pergolas are becoming one of the most important trends. Modern pergolas, such as the ECHO model, are distinguished by their modern design and advanced functions. A key element of its design is its automatically rotating laths, which allow you to regulate the flow of light and protect it from precipitation. In addition, it offers customization with sunshades, a sliding glass panel system and smart weather sensors. Thanks to integration with smartCONNECTED, control of the entire system is possible via remote control or mobile app. In addition, thanks to compatibility with the smart home TaHoma® switch, we can easily control the side shades, blinds and shutters, canopy, LED lighting and the heating system, i.e. the infrared heaters implemented on the top of the slats. The ECHO pergola is available in both a wall-mounted variant, perfect for roofing a lounge area right next to the house, and a free-standing version, ideal for arranging recreational and garden spaces.
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Pergolas as a relaxation and wellness zone
Another growing trend is the use of pergolas to create private relaxation zones, reminiscent of a luxury spa. More and more people are choosing to install pergolas near a Jacuzzi, sauna or swimming pool, creating a comfortable space for relaxation. What's more, such arrangements often include mood lighting, side curtains for privacy and weather-resistant lounge furniture. Such use of pergolas allows you to create an exclusive oasis of tranquility in the comfort of your own garden.
For more information, visit the WIŚNIOWSKI company's PdD website.
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Compiled by:KATARZYNA SZOSTAK
